Edward Hilton's mother died shortly after his birth, and his father, James, moved the family to Warren County, Indiana where a number of Edward's aunts lived across the river in Fountain County. In 1850, James was living in Brown County, Ohio where his daughter Mary married William Dunham. By 1854 they had moved to Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa. Edward's sister, Clotilda, married Samuel Greer there in 1855. In 1856 the family had traveled further west to Madison County, Iowa. Lincoln, Nebraska and Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1857 Edward and 14 year old Mary Molesta Allen were married in Madison County by his brother-in-law, Joel Mason.
Edward, his brother, George, and brother-in-law William Dunham were land speculators near Lincoln, Nebraska, but only the Dunham's lived there permanently. In 1859, Edward was involved in an Indian skirmish with Pawnees who had been marauding the neighborhood.
"A band of Pawnees, in passing up the creek in the vicinity of Wallingford settlement, found the cabin of James Bogus and Mr. Beals, two bachelors, temporarily empty. They broke in and carried away such portables as beef, flour, and clothing. On the return of Bogus and Beals they determined to make an effort to recover their property. Being joined by their neighbors, a brother of Bogus, Joel Mason, A. J. Wallingford, Ed. Hilton, W. W. Dunham, William Arnold, Bob Palmer, Mr. Sophir and others, they rendezvoused at Sophir's cabin, which stood on Salt Creek east of the asylum, near Crabb's mill, and then awaited the arrival of the band which consisted of fifteen Pawnees then camped near the present site of the penitentiary. In the morning the Pawnees came in view and Joel Mason, according to the plan previously arranged, went out to interview the treacherous thieves, and by mild means try to recover the goods. Their reception was what might have been expected. The Indians laughed in derision and showed their supreme contempt for him and good opinion of themselves, punched Mr. Mason with their guns and asked him if he wanted to "fight" as that was their "occupation" or "best hold." As they pressed him to the door of the cabin he gave the preconcerted signal for the commencement of hostilities. The men rushed out and opened fire. Three Pawnees were killed and five wounded in the momentary assault, while the others made diligent use of their chance for escape. The suddenness of the attack so surprised the Indians that they did not succeed in inflicting even a wound in return for their loss.
The bones of the Indians killed repose in the soil of Yankee Hill Precinct. The skull of one of them for a long time was preserved by Judge Cadman as a memento of the last Indian conflict in Lancaster County. The Pawnees soon after took their departure for their reservation." (from "History of the State of Nebraska", pub. A.T. Andreas, 1882)
Edward and his growing family lived in Madison County, Iowa until 1869. From 1870-1874 they lived in Scotland County, Missouri. In 1874 they moved to Nodaway County and remained there. Edward Hilton secured a post office and installed it in his home at what was later known as Gallagher Corner. This point was known as Hilton post office. To it mail was taken in a hack which went through Maryville and operated between Rock Port in Atchison County and Albany in Gentry County. The hack made a trip once a day, going east one day and back the next.
The route and post office were discontinued in 1879, when the Wabash Railroad was completed. Hilton also conducted a grocery store in his home. (Tales of Nodaway County: Area History 1837-1977, page 41)

Edward H. Hilton died at his home, three miles west of Ravenwood, at 5 P.M. Monday, Sept 2, at the age of 59 years, 1 month and 21 days after an illness of four weeks duration from typhoid pneumonia.
The deceased was taken ill on the 7th of August with typhoid fever, and for two weeks was a very sick man, when his condition changed for the better and within a few days of his death was thought to be beyond danger, but on Friday last lung fever set in and he began to gradually sink until Monday afternoon, when surrounded by his faithful family, his soul took its departure from its tenement of clay, his lips feebly uttering: "I am ready to go, and ready to meet my Saviour on the shores of eternity."
Such blessed parting thoughts, such implicit confidence is cherished by the grief stricken ones and alleviates their sorrow to know that in the "sweet bye and bye" they will again be united with their loved one in the hope of perpetual sunlight and joy.
It can be truly said that a good man has gone to his reward. He was a devoted husband, father and friend; a hard, honest worker, and by his labors he leaves his family in good circumstances.
The funeral was conducted by Rev. G.L. Haight of Maryville, at Oak Hill church, Wednesday, at 11 A.M., followed by interment in the church cemetery. The last sad rites were attended by a large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives.
The deceased leaves a wife and five children, as follows: Mrs. Chas Bailey, Mrs. Jay Jordon, Charles, Mantie and Eddie Hilton, all of whom have the deep sympathy of the community in their hour of affliction.